Nancy Taylor Tate
“Christ in you, the hope of glory!” Colossians 1:27.
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” Psalm 133:1.
Whether we are writing or speaking, “Christ in you, the hope of glory” is at the core of
our message as we pray and believe to be a part of that people God is preparing for His end-time purposes.
Paul spoke of his strong prayer and desire that Christ be formed in the church.
“My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you” Galatians 4:19.
While we can often think of the words “Christ in you” as applying to us individually, there is a corporate “you” to whom they also apply. Christ is coming back to be admired in his saints (2 Thessalonians 1:10).
I mentioned earlier, many years ago Ivan Q. Spencer speaking of “the reproduction of the Christ within His many-membered body.” He spoke of the forming of Christ within us, and of the Lord drawing a body of overcomers into a place of intimacy with Himself.
When I heard his words, they resonated in me and I have kept them close for many years.
These thoughts have been stirring in me again, as I’m experiencing a deeper understanding of the reproduction of Christ in a “many-membered body.” Christ in us, the hope of glory! Joined together under His headship, in right relationship with God, and with each other.
How the Lord longs for this coming together of the body of Christ. An overcoming people in whom Christ has been formed, through whom He can work and move. Revelation 5:9 and other verses speak of a great multitude who come together in unity of heart from every nation, tongue, tribe, and people. What a glorious calling! What a glorious people to be part of!
Recently Allen taught on conflict resolution and building friendship in marriage. These skills can be applied to other relationships as well. As I listened, I realized afresh how important our relationships are. What a big part they play in God’s purpose being fulfilled in and through our lives, individually and corporately!
We can desire, determine, and learn to walk in right relationship with one another, starting in the home, then flowing out to the body of Christ and into the community. Psalm 133:1-3 speaks of the anointing that flows down where good relationship (unity) is:
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.”
Joined together, we can become a people in whom Christ can be seen and glorified, that there might be a fuller manifestation of His presence among us. Our lives are enriched as we learn to love and walk in right relationship with others.
My prayer is that the understanding of “Christ being formed within” will burn in other hearts, as it does in mine. I have been blessed to see some people so transformed by the Christ within, that His heart and nature finds expression in them, come what may. Their lives challenge me to continue to yield to the Lord and His inner working in my own life.
May we all press toward that high calling of God. As we allow the Lord to work within, may we also be open to learning some new skills! May our relationships be strengthened. May Christ be seen in and through our lives, singularly and together, in the way we treat one another – at home, in the church, in the workplace, and in the community.
May we open the door for the Lord to work within us. May we become His habitation, a resting place for the presence of the Lord. Christ in you, the hope of glory. Christ in us, a yet greater hope of glory, that there might be an even greater manifestation of His glory, presence, and power in the communities, countries, and places God has us.
Christ in you. Christ in me. Christ in us! How important our relationships are! May we treasure them, as God given gifts.